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Alpentraum Alphorngruppe

The alphorngruppe was established when Karl Beck and Tracy Sonneborn, two accomplished French horn players, got together at an Ein Prosit German Band rehearsal to play alphorn duets.  They both owned alphorns in the key of F, and they both had an excellent sense of pitch.   Frank Jess, also a fine hornist, acquired a horn, and the Ein Prosit Alphorn Trio was born.  They entertained with the Ein Prosit German Band at many Oktoberfests, and the audiences loved them.  Of course, the fact that beer flows at Oktoberfests, and the players were adorned in lederhosen may have helped!

The other band members were captivated by the rich tones of the resonant instrument.  Other horn and brass players were envious and eager to acquire alphorns to join in the fun and participate in the unique ensemble.  The ensemble continues to grow, and has outgrown its trio designation!  At last count, the Alphorngruppe stands at six members with eight alphorns!  

Karl Beck of Fruitport, Frank Jess of Kalamazoo, and Tracy Sonneborn of Lansing form the small, but long, alphorn section of Ein Prosit Traditional German Band of Kalamazoo (www.einprosit.us). The three can sometimes be spotted in small, but curly, French horn sections in a variety of bands, orchestras, and chamber groups in and around Michigan."

 

The original Ein Prosit Alphorn Trio

circa 2006

This site last updated on April 21, 2008 by Sandy Beck